By Sussan Omopeloye
Super Falcons of Nigeria and Cameroon fought to a 0-0 draw in their 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament third round, first leg encounter in Douala on Friday.
In the 27th minute, midfielder Toni Payne wasted a good opportunity to put Nigeria ahead, Twelve minutes later, the Indomitable Lionesses caught sight of goal, but safe gloves of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie came to the rescue.
The Lionesses stepped up their game in the second half as they were urged on by the home crowd at the Stade de la Reunification Douala. Yet, it was Nigeria that had the ball in the net five minutes into the second half, only for Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabbada to rule Jennifer Echegini off-side.
Both teams eventually settled for a draw.In other results of the African qualifying series, reigning continental champions South Africa trounced Tanzania’s senior girls 3-0 in Dar es Salaam, with goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe, captain Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia. The winner on aggregate of the Nigeria/Cameroon fixture will most likely have to duel with the African champions for a place in Paris.
The return leg will be at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Monday evening.